Excitement Builds as Bison Approach Inaugural Season

When the ECHL announced last January that its Board of Governors had approved an expansion application filed by Hallett Sports and Entertainment for Bloomington, Illinois, the news reignited excitement for a community that had been without professional hockey for five years. The Bloomington Bison joined the Tahoe Knight Monsters as the two latest expansion teams for the 2024-25 season.

Known for its agriculture, manufacturing, banking and insurance industries, Bloomington and the neighboring community of Normal are no strangers to hockey. The area has seen several professional and junior Tier I teams take the ice since the opening of Grossinger Motors Arena (then U.S. Cellular Coliseum) in 2006.

Although he called nearby Springfield home, Abraham Lincoln visited Bloomington often to campaign, practice law or hobnob with local dignitaries. That connection is prominently displayed on the team’s logo, which depicts a bison sporting a stovepipe hat much like the one worn by the 16^th U.S. President.

A community that prides itself in catering to everyone from college students to families, Bloomington residents and tourists can take in the McLean County Museum of History, the Constitution Hike and Bike Trail, the Bloomington Ice Center and numerous festivals and county fairs. There’s never a lack of fun things to do in the area.

But make no mistake, the community has been starving for professional hockey. This was immediately apparent to Phillip Barski after arriving in Bloomington last May for the press conference where the club introduced him as head coach and general manager and announced an affiliation with the New York Rangers.

“We had 250 people at our initial press conference,” Barski recalled. “My wife and I moved here the beginning of August. Everywhere I go, or any team event that I do, the first thing that stands out to me is how welcoming everybody is here and how excited they are for our level of hockey to be here… The response has been honestly overwhelming.”

Related: Bison Add Forward and Blueliner to Roster

That enthusiasm has been reflected in season ticket sales, according to Bison director of media relations and broadcasting Andy Zilch.

“We came flying out of the gates with full-season and half-season ticket holders,” said Zilch, who came to Bloomington after working with the St. Louis Blues and has spent 13 seasons in professional hockey. “Now we’re transitioning into getting those fans (who) can’t come to every game.”

With many families on a budget, the Bison have made an effort to make coming to games as affordable as possible. On 309 Nights, a promotion paying homage to the city’s area code, fans can treat themselves to $3 hot dogs, sodas and beer, plus zero-dollar popcorn. Even t-shirts are priced at just $9, and kids can eat free on Sunday games.

Putting together a new team from scratch in a short time comes with its share of challenges. Along with hiring assistant coaches and support staff, Barski is also overseeing an extensive renovation underneath Grossinger Motors Arena which was, in his words, “dated.”

With the backing of Jim Hallett and his group, the club was able to secure the proper permits and hire the necessary contractors to get the ball rolling. Barski and his staff have even pitched in to help with the renovating.

“We’ve really rolled up our sleeves,” Barski said. “It really was a blank slate underneath. We’ve literally been painting, hanging cabinets, ordering all the things each one of our departments need to be successful. I’m really proud of the way our team has handled that.”

Getting one’s hands dirty is just a part of life in the ECHL, where staffs are small and budgets are tight. But Barski has enjoyed the challenge. During his 15-year coaching career, he’s been behind the bench at various levels including the ECHL, OHL, USports, and several professional leagues in Europe.

Expansion teams in the ECHL typically have a tough time in their first year, a fact Barski is well aware of. He fully embraces analytics and has been committed to signing players whose skill levels align well with the league’s style of play without sacrificing talent.

To that end, Barski, along with assistant coach Jesse Messier and assistant GM Dan Larmer believe they have assembled a roster of big, strong players who are mobile on the blueline.

“We expect our D to be able to close off plays, whether it’s off the rush or in the (defensive) zone,” Barski said. “Up front, we think we have dynamic forwards who can play tough in their own way and who can contribute offensively.”

The first name that comes to mind is Eddie Matsushima, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound center who is coming off a two-way deal with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, where he appeared in two games. Matsushima played most of last season with the Tulsa Oilers, leading the team in goals with 25 over 51 games.

In 2020-21, Matsushima played in 34 regular-season games with the SPHL’s Pensacola Ice Flyers, where he registered 29 points. He helped the club to a President’s Cup that season, scoring five points in four post-season contests.

“He’s proven himself to be a point-a-game guy in the ECHL,” said Barski, who first became aware of Matsushima while serving as an assistant with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. “He’s a consummate pro.”

Barski recently swung a couple of trades with the South Carolina Stingrays that netted him forwards Jonny Evans and Jackson Leppard. Evans recorded 88 points (34-54-88) in 105 games over three seasons with the Stingrays.

Related: Bison Complete Two Deals with Stingrays

Leppard totaled 28 points (10-18-28) in 57 games last season for South Carolina, and was third on the team with 110 penalty minutes. He spent his first professional season with the Allen Americans, posting 20 goals.

On the back end, Jake Murray should provide the Bison with size and scoring. In 26 games with the Idaho Steelheads last season, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Murray potted 10 points (2-8-10) with a +10 rating.

At 6-foot-3, 203 pounds, Wyatt McLeod also provides size and mobility on the blueline, amassing 35 points (4-31-35) over three collegiate seasons with the University of Alberta.

Bloomington will get its first look at the new team on Saturday, October 19 at home against the Toledo Walleye. Regardless of how well the Bison play in their inaugural season, they can expect a warm welcome from die-hard hockey fans and families looking for another fun way to entertain themselves for an evening.